Page 30 of Ashen Torment

“Be silent, Laurence,” I reply, without taking my eyes from the woods.

He takes a step back, respecting my silence.

Marquess Frederick, in the center of the clearing, raises his voice with authority. “Gentlemen, we shall shortly proceed to the draw for the assignment of firing positions.”

A light hand brushes my shoulder from behind. I turn instinctively and seize the wrist that touched me.

“Lord Dorian, are you ready to begin?”

“Julian.”

I release his wrist.

“I can hardly wait,” he says with a mischievous smile. “I truly hope to end up beside someone interesting.”

His eyes shift; I follow the movement and find them fixed upon the Viscount, who stands beside a group of gentlemen, leaning down as he drinks from a small flask.

I bring my gaze back to Julian.

“What are you speaking of?”

“Do you not find him fascinating?” he whispers.

“Do you not think it inappropriate to refer to another man with the term fascinating?” I retort, as I feel my pulse quicken beneath my jacket.

He passes a hand over his chin through his coarse blonde beard, a slow and theatrical gesture.

“Who establishes what is inappropriate and what is not?”

“If you desire to end up in prison for such lascivious, and ridiculous thoughts,” I reply, “do as you please. No one intends to stop you.”

His blue eyes glint as he stares at me, and a fleeting whisper slides from his lips. “I did not think, Lord Dorian, that you were such a pusillanimous man.”

The calm I have struggled to maintain until now crumbles, replaced by a sharp irritation that soon turns to rage.

“How dare you, you pathetic—”

“My lord,” Laurence interrupts with a cough, “the draws have already begun.”

The sound of voices and the rustle of papers draw my attention, forcing the tension to recede slightly.

Fucking Julian—I cannot strike him before them all.

“Laurence.”

My valet approaches without delay.

“The very first thing we shall do upon returning to Ashford Manor is purchase every property bordering the Fairfax estate.”

“Beg your pardon, sir?”

I lift my gaze toward the pathetic insect who dared utter such nonsense.

“Dear Julian will find himself with no room left to breathe. I shall strip him of every little freedom he believed he possessed.”

“But, my lord, you cannot—”

“Do as I said.”